Occurrence and bioacessibility of mycotoxins in fish feed

ABSTRACT

In this study Aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEN) occurrence in fish feed, regarding its chemical composition, were investigated. Besides, AFB₁ bioaccessibility to fish was evaluated by in vitro digestion. Mycotoxins were extracted by QuEChERS and quantified by HPLC-FLD. Results showed that 93.3% of the samples were contaminated at maximum levels of 16.5, 31.6, and 322 µg/kg in the cases of AFB₁, OTA, and ZEN, respectively. A positive correlation between OTA, ZEN contamination, and lipid content was observed. Risk estimation of feed consumption by fish at the highest levels of AFB₁, OTA, and ZEN shows that the younger the fish, the higher the risk of exposure to mycotoxins. The AFB₁ bioaccessibility assay showed that 85% of this mycotoxin may be absorbed by fish. Therefore, establishing maximum levels in the fishing sector is fundamental to contribute to feed quality and nutritional safety of fish species.

KEYWORDS:

• Absorption
• aflatoxin B₁
• ochratoxin A
• aquaculture
• zearalenone
• principal component analysis

Acknowledgments

Food and Chemical School and Oceanography Institute of the Federal University of Rio Grande for the laboratory support and technical assistance.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financed in part by the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brasil (CAPES) - Finance Code [001].